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Halos send Jeter off with pinstriped paddleboard

5/7/14: Derek Jeter receives a huge paddleboard, emblazoned with the Yankees' logo, from the Angels on his farewell tour

By Alden Gonzalez
/
MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- If Derek Jeter ever wanted a giant paddleboard, he now has one, courtesy of the Angels.

For Wednesday's series finale in Southern California, which marked the Yankees captain's final regular-season game at Angel Stadium, the Angels honored Jeter's impending retirement by gifting him a pinstriped paddleboard.

Jeter can place it alongside the pinstripe cowboy boots he received from the Astros before his second-to-last game at Minute Maid Park on April 2.

"We felt it was a unique gift to a person who probably has everything, including five World Series rings," Angels president John Carpino said in an email. "Derek Jeter has always spoken affectionately about Southern California, and a Hobie paddleboard is a reflection of the Southern California lifestyle."

Jeter will likely collect a gift from every opposing ballpark he visits during his final season, similar to former teammate Mariano Rivera last season. The Angels gave Rivera a life-sized painting.

Jeter entered Wednesday with a career .338/.398/.486 slash line at Angel Stadium and has faced the Angels three times in the playoffs, losing to them in the American League Division Series in 2002 and '05, and winning the '09 AL Championship Series. Angel Stadium was also site of the 2010 All-Star Game, which took place shortly after former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner passed away.

Jeter went 2-for-5 and hit his first home run of the season in New York's 9-2 win on Wednesday.

"The fans have been awesome here," Jeter said. "I said it after the first game; one of the coolest moments I've had is the ovation they gave me, even from the first game. It was all three games.

"It's something that you'll remember, and I appreciate it. I've played a lot of great games here, competed in the regular season and postseason. I have fond memories of playing here in Anaheim."

Prior to the game, the Angels played a video tribute to Jeter on the JumboTron, with Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" in the background, then had Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, Jered Weaver and Howie Kendrick carry the paddleboard onto the field to present it to the iconic shortstop.

Fans were given a commemorative ticket.

Asked what's the best thing he took away from this series, besides taking two of three, Jeter said: "The paddleboard, man. That's a good gift. … I don't expect anything where I go. This was a surprise to me. I don't go into anything with any expectations."